CountyScore

Sharp County

Arkansas · AR

#49 in Arkansas
69.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Sharp County, Arkansas

Sharp outperforms national benchmarks clearly

Sharp County's score of 69.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 40 percentile points, placing it well above typical U.S. counties. This performance is driven primarily by exceptional housing affordability and low tax rates.

Slightly below state average

Sharp County scores 69.3 against the Arkansas average of 70.3, positioning it just below the state midpoint. It remains a competitive option among Arkansas's livability options.

Ultra-affordable housing market

Sharp County delivers some of the lowest housing costs in the region: median home values of $94,600 with median gross rent of just $648 per month (Cost Score: 88.1). The Tax Score of 86.0 reflects an effective tax rate of 0.579%, keeping tax burdens minimal.

Income and economic vulnerability are concerns

Median household income of $42,950 produces the lowest Income Score in this group at 11.4, creating wage challenges for residents. The Risk Score of 31.9 also suggests exposure to economic or demographic headwinds.

Perfect for cost-conscious retirees

Sharp County is an excellent choice for fixed-income retirees, remote workers, and anyone seeking extreme affordability with moderate tax efficiency. The trade-off is limited local income opportunities, making external income sources essential.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax86Cost88.1SafetyComing SoonHealth59.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome11.4Risk31.9WaterComing Soon
🏛86
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡31.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Sharp County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Colbert County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $56,736
Jackson County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $49,454
Chugach Census Area
Alaska
69.3
Median income: $88,565
Rabun County
Georgia
69.3
Median income: $61,466
Upson County
Georgia
69.3
Median income: $50,904

Deep Dives

Sharp County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Sharp County

via TaxByCounty

Sharp County taxes rank well below US average

Sharp County's 0.579% effective tax rate falls comfortably below the national median of 0.86%, placing it in the bottom quarter nationally. The median property tax of $548 represents just 20% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting both favorable rates and lower home values.

Slightly above Arkansas average

Sharp County's 0.579% effective rate exceeds Arkansas's state average of 0.532% by less than half a percentage point. Its median property tax of $548 falls below the state median of $705, placing it near the middle of the state's tax landscape.

Moderately taxed in this eight-county region

Sharp County's 0.579% rate and $548 median tax place it in the middle of the eight-county comparison. It taxes slightly higher than Sevier County (0.480%) but lower than Sebastian County (0.651%), despite having the lowest median home value at $94,600.

Expected annual tax on median home

A typical Sharp County homeowner with a $94,600 property pays approximately $548 annually in property taxes. Mortgage holders typically face about $578 annually, while non-mortgage owners pay closer to $517.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Sharp County residents, like homeowners everywhere, may be sitting on overassessed properties without realizing it. Contact your assessor to request a reassessment—given Sharp County's modest home values, ensuring accurate assessment is especially important for protecting affordability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sharp County

via CostByCounty

Sharp matches the national test

Sharp County renters spend 18.1% of income on housing, exactly matching the national average. With a median income of just $42,950—43% below the national figure—residents here manage affordable rents through lower overall cost of living.

Average affordability, lower costs

Sharp County's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio ties the Arkansas state average, though its $648 median rent is the lowest among these eight counties. This creates an unusual advantage: state-typical affordability with below-average rents.

Cheapest rents in the survey

Sharp County's $648 rent undercuts every other county in this comparison, including Sevier's $725 and Van Buren's $727. This rock-bottom rent makes it exceptionally affordable despite the region's lowest median income of $42,950.

Ownership costs less than rent

Sharp County homeowners pay just $581 monthly, $67 below what renters spend, making ownership surprisingly affordable. The median home value of $94,600 represents one of the lowest in the region, enabling homeownership on modest incomes.

Sharp excels for minimal budgets

If housing costs are your primary concern, Sharp County delivers rock-bottom rents and the lowest home values in this set. This rural county rewards those seeking maximum affordability in Arkansas.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sharp County

via IncomeByCounty

Sharp County faces income headwinds

Sharp County's median household income of $42,950 falls nearly $32,000 below the national median of $74,755, representing a 43 percent gap. The county ranks among the lower-income counties nationally, reflecting rural economic challenges.

Below Arkansas average earnings

At $42,950, Sharp County's median household income trails the Arkansas state average of $51,156 by $8,206. The county represents one of the lower-income communities statewide, with limited employment diversity.

Lowest income in immediate area

Sharp County households earn about $9,700 less than Sevier County ($51,641) and $13,500 less than Sebastian County ($56,450). The county faces the steepest income challenges among its regional peers.

Housing requires careful budgeting

Sharp County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.1 percent remains manageable, though affordability becomes tighter given the lower baseline income. With a median home value of $94,600, homeownership is relatively accessible but demands careful financial planning.

Strategic financial planning essential

Sharp County residents should prioritize debt reduction and consistent savings, even in modest amounts, to build financial resilience. Explore community development programs, small business support, and workforce training to increase earning potential over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sharp County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy masks unmet health needs

Sharp County's 73.0-year life expectancy approaches the U.S. average of 76.4 years, but the county's 25.6% poor or fair health rate reveals significant daily struggle. This gap—between how long people live and how well they live—underscores the importance of chronic disease prevention and management.

Slightly ahead on years, aligned on wellness

Sharp County's 73.0-year life expectancy exceeds Arkansas's 72.3-year state average by a small margin, positioning the county in the middle tier statewide. However, its 25.6% poor or fair health rate remains elevated, indicating that extra years don't automatically mean better daily health.

Limited primary care, strong mental health support

Sharp County's 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents rank among the lowest in the region, but its 200 mental health providers per 100,000 exceed nearby counties like Stone (174 per 100K). This imbalance means residents may find behavioral health care more readily available than preventive primary services.

Low uninsured rate, sparse doctor network

Sharp County's 10.9% uninsured rate sits near the state average, suggesting coverage itself isn't the primary barrier—rather, the availability of primary care providers is the constraint. With only 23 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents, wait times and travel distances likely deter routine visits.

Check your coverage status today

If you're among Sharp County's uninsured or underinsured, verifying your coverage through healthcare.gov or Arkansas Medicaid is the first step toward consistent care. Even with local provider shortages, having insurance removes cost as a barrier and unlocks telehealth options that can supplement in-person visits.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sharp County

via RiskByCounty

Sharp County has moderate-to-low disaster risk

Sharp County's composite risk score of 68.07 places it below the national average, classifying it as relatively low-risk overall. However, the county faces significant exposure in certain hazard categories, particularly earthquakes and tornadoes. Compared to typical American counties, Sharp County residents experience below-average total disaster threat.

Middle-tier risk within Arkansas

Sharp County scores 68.07, moderately above Arkansas's state average of 55.51, placing it in the upper-middle range of state risk. The county faces somewhat elevated hazard exposure compared to other Arkansas areas. This positioning reflects heightened earthquake and tornado vulnerability relative to the state baseline.

Among the riskier nearby counties

Sharp County's score of 68.07 exceeds neighboring Stone County (49.87) but sits close to Sevier County (64.95). The county experiences notably higher earthquake risk (86.64) than most adjacent areas, setting it apart from immediate neighbors. Its tornado threat aligns with regional patterns at 76.30.

Earthquakes and tornadoes require attention

Sharp County faces significant earthquake risk at 86.64—substantially higher than most Arkansas counties and a primary structural safety concern. Tornado risk scores 76.30, creating secondary but serious spring and fall weather threats. Flood risk is moderate at 66.35, reflecting the county's terrain and drainage patterns.

Prioritize earthquake and windstorm insurance

Sharp County residents should strongly consider earthquake insurance given the exceptional 86.64 risk score—significantly higher than state average. Homeowners insurance should include robust windstorm and hail coverage for the 76.30 tornado risk. Structural reinforcement of foundations and secure fastening of heavy items can mitigate earthquake damage.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.